Heavy Heart 5-2-13

Heavy Heart 5-22-13

This past weekend I was really sad and cried a lot.  More than I have in weeks.  My heart was heavy and now I know why.  On Sunday I had received a phone call from Rowan’s Mom.  If you know me well you know that I don’t carry my cell phone with me or look at it all the time.  I actually will go a day or two without it.  Anyhow, I had a missed call from Rebecca.  It came in Sunday evening.  I didn’t look at my phone until Monday afternoon.  When I saw the missed call I checked her blog to see what was up.  There I read it.  Rowan had passed away on Saturday May 18^th at 12:15 pm.  I broke down and cried.  I knew my heart was heavy and this was the reason.  I knew this was coming.  Just like I knew it was coming for Kathryn but I always held on to that hope just like I did for Kathryn.  Rebecca’s blog before this last one had described Rowan’s condition in such a way that I could picture Kathryn in the same state.  I could also picture Rowan in this same state.  But it was so hard to hear that another beautiful little girl had been ripped away from their loving family.  Another child who was so sweet and loved so much.  Why?  I will never understand.  Rowan passed away in the hospital with her Mom (Rebecca) and Dad (Chuck) holding her.  Watching your child take that last breath is the hardest thing to witness. 

So Chuck and Rebecca have Rowan’s ashes with them as they are taking a road trip.  They just need to get away.  It will be difficult to go home.  The home where their little girl laughed and played.  It will take time.  I don’t know where all they will go but I certainly offered a place for them to come to if they end up out this way.   They need your prayers for comfort as their world has been shattered. 

I also got word on the t-shirt sales.  It didn’t go as well as I thought it would but we did make $110 dollars for Camp.  There was a lot of confusion when the store opened and I never received a flyer about it.  This time I have a flyer to send out and hopefully this will make it less confusion for people.  The store opens May 24^th and goes through June 7^th and will have delivery on the 21^st.

Richard called today to tell us a little story about his day.  While he was on campus today (May 22^nd) a girl came up to him.  She said, “You don’t know me but I knew your sister Kathryn.  I came across a letter the other day that Kathryn had written to me and it was special. She said Kathryn was a really awesome person.”  Richard shared this with me with excitement in his voice.  I was glad to hear that excitement.  He thought it was so cool that this girl should come up to him like that and introduce herself to him to tell him about the letter and how special his sister was.  This lifted my heavy heart.  I feel so good that this girl had the courage to some up to a young man that she didn’t even know to share such a sweet message.  Richard thought it was very special too.  I don’t know exactly how he feels as he doesn’t talk about it.  His loss is deep though.  I don’t want to pry but I will someday.  I know I don’t want to go with unanswered questions and concerns as I did with Kathryn.  My only regret is not talking to her more about her situation.  We just tried so hard to make every day a happy day. 

Have a wonderful holiday weekend!  Be Safe!

This is Rowan at 21/2.  She was 41/2 When she passed away.  I love this picture with the ice cream on her darling little face.